Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Curious Question About Packing Tape

aaascr

Recommended Posts

aaascr Apprentice
aaascr
Posted

Can you get "glutened" transdermally?

Recently I had a fiberglass cast put on my broken wrist - which meant that I couldn't get it wet. I used packing tape over a plastic bag to protect the cast, did this for 2 weeks. The tape did stick to my skin each time. I didn't get any symptoms until about 10-12 days later. I have a gluten free home, products, prepare all of my own foods, etc. Added nothing new - pain meds were gluten-free as well. I actually had a dh bump come up on the other arm (how weird!), as well as intestinal issues.

Any thoughts?? :blink:

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

Everything I've ever read says the molecules are too large to be absorbed through the skin. And if it could be absorbed, how would it make its way to your intestines? I've touched gluten numerous times and never had a reaction.

In addition, the packing tape in unlikely to have gluten. However, all kinds of tape, including surgical tape, can cause DH-like bumps and blisters. This happened to me when i had hernia surgery.

Just my opinion. I know others here will disagree with me.

richard

Sophiekins Rookie
Sophiekins
Posted

Richard and I disagree on this one.

Since celiac disease is a SYSTEMIC auto-immune reaction, it doesn't have to actually reach your intestines to cause a reaction. Richard and I also disagree on whether the molecule can penetrate skin or not. . .I'm of the opinion that since it clearly makes me ill following skin only contact (and because it makes me so very ill, I am absolutely anal about hand washing, and skin to mouth contamination), that yes, gluten can make you ill after skin contact. Once the immune reaction starts, it can express as symptoms anywhere. . .like your other arm, or your brain, or your intestines.

BUT. . .just because you got symptoms doesn't mean that it was the packing tape. It could easily have been one of your meds (I know they checked, but CC is a possibility. . .or generics) or one of the products you buy could have been CCd, or had the formula changed, or maybe that day you kissed someone who ate a sandwich or one of your coworkers used your keyboard and left toast crumbs. . .. The fact that it took 10 days to show up though makes me inclined to think it was the smooch factor (or CC of some kind) rather than the packing tape.

aaascr Apprentice
aaascr
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the replies! I'm still trying to see if there is anything else to have caused the outbreak - (definitely no smooching) - could be a paranoid boss though.... <_<

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,353
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    ace14219
    Newest Member
    ace14219
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • par18
      Is it gluten?

      By par18 · Posted

      Thanks for the reply. 
    • Scott Adams
      nothing has changed

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you’re describing is actually very common, and unfortunately the timing of the biopsy likely explains the confusion. Yes, it is absolutely possible for the small intestine to heal enough in three months on a strict gluten-free diet to produce a normal or near-normal biopsy, especially when damage was mild to begin with. In contrast, celiac antibodies can stay elevated for many months or even years after gluten removal, so persistently high antibody levels alongside the celiac genes and clear nutrient deficiencies strongly point to celiac disease, even if you don’t feel symptoms. Many people with celiac are asymptomatic but still develop iron and vitamin deficiencies and silent intestinal damage. The lack of immediate symptoms makes it harder emotionally, but it doesn’t mean gluten isn’t harming you. Most specialists would consider this a case of celiac disease with a false-negative biopsy due to early healing rather than “something else,” and staying consistently gluten-free is what protects you long-term—even when your body doesn’t protest right away.
    • Scott Adams
      Is it gluten?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Yes, I meant if you had celiac disease but went gluten-free before screening, your results would end up false-negative. As @trents mentioned, this can also happen when a total IGA test isn't done.
    • Seaperky
      Trip to Anaheim/Disney

      By Seaperky · Posted

      I found at Disney springs and Disney they have specialist that when told about dietary restrictions they come and talk to you ,explain cross contamination measures tsken and work with you on choices. Its the one place I dont worry once I've explained I have celiac disease.  Thier gluten free options are awesome.
    • Churley
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Churley · Posted

      Have you tried Pure Encapsulations supplements? This is a brand my doctor recommends for me. I have no issues with this brand.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.